City Sanitation Workers to Start Routes Earlier to Avoid Heat

July 19, 2007 – In an effort to avoid strenuous work during the hottest part of the day, City of West Palm Beach Department of Public Works sanitation workers will be starting their residential routes up to an hour earlier each day. Typically, workers are in neighborhoods no earlier than 6:00 A.M. Under the new schedule, workers will be on their routes beginning as early as 5:00 A.M. The change in schedule takes effect immediately.
“This move will help our workers do their jobs while helping reduce their exposure to the mid-day heat and humidity,” said Public Works Director John Alford. “We appreciate the public’s understanding our need to begin pickup and be in neighborhoods a little earlier than normal.”

When temperatures and humidity levels begin to drop, the sanitation workers will return to their normal schedule. The change in the worker’s schedule WILL NOT affect sanitation pickup days or routes.